Chicopee prepares for Downtown Get DownDate: 9/9/2016 CHICOPEE – Downtown Chicopee is unrolling the welcome mat for its second annual festival, now dubbed “The Chicopee Downtown Get Down” on Sept. 9 and 10.
The event, which will present free entertainment, vendors, activities and food begins at noon on Sept. 9 and will close at 9 p.m.
On Sept. 10, the hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The festival will be conducted on parts of Front, Exchange, Center and Springfield streets.
More than 25 vendors, a mix between food and others, will be featured.
Joel McAuliffe, who organized the event, said, “We expect to double that number.”
The Get Down is sponsored by Chicopee Savings and Westfield Bank, and drew 7,000 people last year. McAuliffe added, “We expect it to double that this year.”
McAuliffe said, “It’s an excellent opportunity to showcase the downtown and all it has to offer,” he said.
He noted there would be several Pokemon-Go “gyms” at the Getdown.
The musical acts that will perform include:
• West Summit on Sept. 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. is “a group of South Hadley teenagers that play classic rock to crowds across the Pioneer Valley,” McAuliffe said.
• West Overtones, on Sept. 9 from, 1 to 3 p.m. McAuliffe said the group “is adventurous, instrumental rock fusion based in Northampton. The band combines the elements of rock, EDM, hip-hop, and funk to create a sound that is forward-thinking yet nostalgic, indescribable but strangely familiar.”
• Livio Gravini and the Free Spirit Society on Sept. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. “Livio has been performing for audiences in New England for many years and is considered a local legend to his devoted fan base. His music reflects the classic feel for the culture found in this area, rich with blues, rock, folk, and all around New England Americana, “ McAuliffe said.
• Trailer Trash on Sept. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. McAuliffe described them as “a Western Massachusetts favorite, Trailer Trash plays the very best of top 100 country radio.”
• Ken Stearley and the Goat Ropers, Sept. 10 from noon to 2 p.m. McAuliffe called them, “a Chicopee favorite.”
• Sam Pursey Sept. 10, 2 to 4:30 p.m. McAuliffe said Pursey is a “Chicopee native formerly of The Varlets, returns to the downtown stage, with his new band The Sam Pursey Trio.”
• Greg Hall and the Barnhouse Band Sept. 10 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. “A Northampton favorite, Greg Hall and the Barnhouse band is a mix of the classic country tradition of Johnny Cash and the modern breed of singer-songwriters like Josh Ritter,” McAuliffe said.
• Back in Black, Sept. 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. “The ‘True AC/DC Experience” show performed by Back in Black has been touring the United States since 1990, entertaining audiences with their accurate replication of AC/DC’s music old and new. The high-energy live show will surely leave you wanting more,” McAuliffe said.
“We’ve got the perfect mix of covers and original music,” McAuliffe said. “Trailer Trash, Back in Black, and Livio are regional favorites that have played just about every local festival event in the area. They have a very loyal following and we are very excited to have them at the Get Down. Greg Hall and the Barnhouse Band and Sam Pursey are two up and coming acts that are very popular in the Northampton area and across Western Massachusetts.
“There’s music for people of all ages and we are looking forward to a great event!”
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